Non-nicotine pod assemblies and non-nicotine e-vaping devices

ABSTRACT

A non-nicotine e-vaping device may include a non-nicotine pod assembly and a device body. The non-nicotine pod assembly has upstream and downstream ends and is configured to hold a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The upstream end may define at least one upstream recess, and the downstream end may define at least one downstream recess. The device body defines a through hole configured to receive the non-nicotine pod assembly. The through hole includes an upstream sidewall and a downstream sidewall. The upstream sidewall may include at least one upstream protrusion, and the downstream sidewall may include at least one downstream protrusion. The at least one upstream protrusion and the at least one downstream protrusion may be configured to engage with the at least one upstream recess and the at least one downstream recess, respectively, so as to retain the non-nicotine pod assembly within the through hole of the device body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S.application Ser. No. 16/695,515, filed Nov. 26, 2019, the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates to non-nicotine electronic vaping(e-vaping) devices.

Description of Related Art

Some non-nicotine e-vaping devices include a first section coupled to asecond section. The first section may include a wick and a heater. Thewick is configured to move a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation viacapillary action and is positioned so as to extend into a reservoir anda vapor passage. The heater is in thermal contact with the wick and isconfigured to vaporize the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation drawn viathe wick into the vapor passage. The second section includes a powersource configured to supply an electric current to the heater duringvaping. The initiation of the operation of the non-nicotine e-vapingdevice may be achieved through manual- and/or puff-activation.

SUMMARY

At least one embodiment relates to a non-nicotine e-vaping device.

In an example embodiment, a non-nicotine e-vaping device may include anon-nicotine pod assembly and a device body. The non-nicotine podassembly has an upstream end and a downstream end and is configured tohold a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The upstream end may defineat least one upstream recess, and the downstream end may define at leastone downstream recess. The device body defines a through hole configuredto receive the non-nicotine pod assembly. The through hole includes anupstream sidewall and a downstream sidewall. The upstream sidewall mayinclude at least one upstream protrusion, and the downstream sidewallmay include at least one downstream protrusion. The at least oneupstream protrusion and the at least one downstream protrusion may beconfigured to engage with the at least one upstream recess and the atleast one downstream recess, respectively, so as to retain thenon-nicotine pod assembly within the through hole of the device body.

At least one embodiment relates to a device body for a non-nicotinee-vaping device.

In an example embodiment, a device body may include a device housingdefining a through hole configured to receive a non-nicotine podassembly. The through hole includes an upstream sidewall and adownstream sidewall. The upstream sidewall includes at least oneupstream protrusion, and the downstream sidewall includes at least onedownstream protrusion. The at least one upstream protrusion isconfigured to engage with at least one upstream recess of thenon-nicotine pod assembly so as to facilitate a pivoting of thenon-nicotine pod assembly into the through hole.

At least one embodiment relates to a non-nicotine pod assembly for anon-nicotine e-vaping device.

In an example embodiment, a non-nicotine pod assembly may include a podbody configured to hold a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The podbody has an upstream end and a downstream end. The upstream end maydefine a pod inlet and at least one upstream recess. The downstream endmay define a pod outlet and at least one downstream recess.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodimentsherein may become more apparent upon review of the detailed descriptionin conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawingsare merely provided for illustrative purposes and should not beinterpreted to limit the scope of the claims. The accompanying drawingsare not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. Forpurposes of clarity, various dimensions of the drawings may have beenexaggerated.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a non-nicotine e-vaping device according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the non-nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the non-nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a proximal end view of the non-nicotine e-vaping device ofFIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a distal end view of the non-nicotine e-vaping device of FIG.1 .

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the non-nicotine e-vaping device of FIG.1 .

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the pod inlet in FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the non-nicotine e-vaping device ofFIG. 6 .

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the device body of the non-nicotinee-vaping device of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 10 is a front view of the device body of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the through hole in FIG. 10 .

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the device electricalcontacts in FIG. 10 .

FIG. 13 is a partially exploded view involving the mouthpiece in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a partially exploded view involving the bezel structure inFIG. 9 .

FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the mouthpiece, springs,retention structure, and bezel structure in FIG. 14 .

FIG. 16 is a partially exploded view involving the front cover, theframe, and the rear cover in FIG. 14 .

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the non-nicotine pod assembly of thenon-nicotine e-vaping device in FIG. 6 .

FIG. 18 is another perspective view of the non-nicotine pod assembly ofFIG. 17 .

FIG. 19 is another perspective view of the non-nicotine pod assembly ofFIG. 18 .

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the non-nicotine pod assembly of FIG.19 without the connector module.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the connector module in FIG. 19 .

FIG. 22 is another perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 21 .

FIG. 23 is an exploded view involving the wick, heater, electricalleads, and contact core in FIG. 22 .

FIG. 24 is an exploded view involving the first housing section of thenon-nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 17 .

FIG. 25 is a partially exploded view involving the second housingsection of the non-nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 17 .

FIG. 26 is an exploded view of the activation pin in FIG. 25 .

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 22 withoutthe wick, heater, electrical leads, and contact core.

FIG. 28 is an exploded view of the connector module of FIG. 27 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some detailed example embodiments are disclosed herein. However,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merelyrepresentative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Exampleembodiments may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and shouldnot be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forthherein.

Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of variousmodifications and alternative forms, example embodiments thereof areshown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described indetail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent tolimit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but to thecontrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives thereof. Like numbers refer to likeelements throughout the description of the figures.

It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” “attached to,” “adjacent to,”“covering,” etc. another element or layer, it may be directly on,connected to, coupled to, attached to, adjacent to, covering, etc. theother element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present.In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,”“directly connected to,” “directly coupled to,” etc. another element orlayer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbersrefer to like elements throughout the specification. As used herein, theterm “and/or” includes any and all combinations or sub-combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items.

It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, regions, layersand/or sections, these elements, regions, layers, and/or sections shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, orsection. Thus, a first element, region, layer, or section discussedbelow could be termed a second element, region, layer, or sectionwithout departing from the teachings of example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms (e.g., “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper,” and the like) may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood thatthe spatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the term “below” may encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing variousexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exampleembodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used inthis specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, and/or elements, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or groups thereof.

When the term “same” or “identical” is used in the description ofexample embodiments, it should be understood that some imprecisions mayexist. Thus, when one element or value is referred to as being the sameas another element or value, it should be understood that the element orvalue is the same as the other element or value within a manufacturingor operational tolerance range (e.g., ±10%).

When the terms “about” or “substantially” are used in connection with anumerical value, it should be understood that the associated numericalvalue includes a manufacturing or operational tolerance (e.g., ±10%)around the stated numerical value. Moreover, when the words “generally”and “substantially” are used in connection with a geometric shape, itshould be understood that the precision of the geometric shape is notrequired but that latitude for the shape is within the scope of thedisclosure.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. Itwill be further understood that terms, including those defined incommonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaningthat is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant artand will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal senseunless expressly so defined herein.

Hardware may be implemented using processing or control circuitry suchas, but not limited to, one or more processors, one or more CentralProcessing Units (CPUs), one or more microcontrollers, one or morearithmetic logic units (ALUs), one or more digital signal processors(DSPs), one or more microcomputers, one or more field programmable gatearrays (FPGAs), one or more System-on-Chips (SoCs), one or moreprogrammable logic units (PLUs), one or more microprocessors, one ormore Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), or any otherdevice or devices capable of responding to and executing instructions ina defined manner

FIG. 1 is a front view of a non-nicotine e-vaping device according to anexample embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the non-nicotine e-vapingdevice of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a rear view of the non-nicotine e-vapingdevice of FIG. 1 . Referring to FIGS. 1-3 , a non-nicotine e-vapingdevice 500 includes a device body 100 that is configured to receive anon-nicotine pod assembly 300. The non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is amodular article configured to hold a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation.A non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is a material or combination ofmaterials that is devoid of nicotine and that may be transformed into anon-nicotine vapor. For example, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulationmay include a liquid, solid, and/or gel formulation. These may include,for example and without limitation, solutions and suspensions (e.g.,emulsions) containing water, oil, beads, solvents, active ingredients,ethanol, plant extracts, non-nicotine compounds, natural or artificialflavors, vapor formers such as glycerin and propylene glycol, and/or anyother ingredients that may be suitable for vaping. During vaping, thenon-nicotine e-vaping device 500 is configured to heat the non-nicotinepre-vapor formulation to generate a non-nicotine vapor. Non-nicotinevapor, non-nicotine aerosol, and non-nicotine dispersion are usedinterchangeably and refer to the matter generated or outputted by thedevices disclosed, claimed, and/or equivalents thereof, wherein suchmatter is devoid of nicotine.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500 extendsin a longitudinal direction and has a length that is greater than itswidth. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2 , the length of the non-nicotinee-vaping device 500 is also greater than its thickness. Furthermore, thewidth of the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500 may be greater than itsthickness. Assuming an x-y-z Cartesian coordinate system, the length ofthe non-nicotine e-vaping device 500 may be measured in the y-direction,the width may be measured in the x-direction, and the thickness may bemeasured in the z-direction. The non-nicotine e-vaping device 500 mayhave a substantially linear form with tapered ends based on its front,side, and rear views, although example embodiments are not limitedthereto.

The device body 100 includes a front cover 104, a frame 106, and a rearcover 108. The front cover 104, the frame 106, and the rear cover 108form a device housing that encloses mechanical components, electroniccomponents, and/or circuitry associated with the operation of thenon-nicotine e-vaping device 500. For instance, the device housing ofthe device body 100 may enclose a power source configured to power thenon-nicotine e-vaping device 500, which may include supplying anelectric current to the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. In addition, whenassembled, the front cover 104, the frame 106, and the rear cover 108may constitute a majority of the visible portion of the device body 100.The device housing may be regarded as including all constituent parts ofthe device body 100 except for the mouthpiece 102. Stated differently,the mouthpiece 102 and the device housing may be regarded as forming thedevice body 100.

The front cover 104 (e.g., first cover) defines a primary openingconfigured to accommodate a bezel structure 112. The primary opening mayhave a rounded rectangular shape, although other shapes are possibledepending on the shape of the bezel structure 112. The bezel structure112 defines a through hole 150 configured to receive the non-nicotinepod assembly 300. The through hole 150 is discussed herein in moredetail in connection with, for instance, FIG. 9 .

The front cover 104 also defines a secondary opening configured toaccommodate a light guide arrangement. The secondary opening mayresemble a slot, although other shapes are possible depending on theshape of the light guide arrangement. In an example embodiment, thelight guide arrangement includes a light guide housing 114 and a buttonhousing 122. The light guide housing 114 is configured to expose a lightguide lens 116, while the button housing 122 is configured to expose afirst button lens 124 and a second button lens 126 (e.g., FIG. 16 ). Thefirst button lens 124 and an upstream portion of the button housing 122may form a first button 118. Similarly, the second button lens 126 and adownstream portion of the button housing 122 may form a second button120. The button housing 122 may be in a form of a single structure ortwo separate structures. With the latter form, the first button 118 andthe second button 120 can move with a more independent feel whenpressed.

The operation of the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500 may be controlledby the first button 118 and the second button 120. For instance, thefirst button 118 may be a power button, and the second button 120 may bean intensity button. Although two buttons are shown in the drawings inconnection with the light guide arrangement, it should be understoodthat more (or less) buttons may be provided depending on the availablefeatures and desired user interface.

The frame 106 (e.g., base frame) is the central support structure forthe device body 100 (and the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500 as awhole). The frame 106 may be referred to as a chassis. The frame 106includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a pair of side sectionsbetween the proximal end and the distal end. The proximal end and thedistal end may also be referred to as the downstream end and theupstream end, respectively. As used herein, “proximal” (and, conversely,“distal”) is in relation to an adult vaper during vaping, and“downstream” (and, conversely, “upstream”) is in relation to a flow ofthe non-nicotine vapor. A bridging section may be provided between theopposing inner surfaces of the side sections (e.g., about midway alongthe length of the frame 106) for additional strength and stability. Theframe 106 may be integrally formed so as to be a monolithic structure.

With regard to material of construction, the frame 106 may be formed ofan alloy or a plastic. The alloy (e.g., die cast grade, machinablegrade) may be an aluminum (Al) alloy or a zinc (Zn) alloy. The plasticmay be a polycarbonate (PC), an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),or a combination thereof (PC/ABS). For instance, the polycarbonate maybe LUPOY SC1004A. Furthermore, the frame 106 may be provided with asurface finish for functional and/or aesthetic reasons (e.g., to providea premium appearance). In an example embodiment, the frame 106 (e.g.,when formed of an aluminum alloy) may be anodized. In anotherembodiment, the frame 106 (e.g., when formed of a zinc alloy) may becoated with a hard enamel or painted. In another embodiment, the frame106 (e.g., when formed of a polycarbonate) may be metallized. In yetanother embodiment, the frame 106 (e.g., when formed of an acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene) may be electroplated. It should be understood thatthe materials of construction with regard to the frame 106 may also beapplicable to the front cover 104, the rear cover 108, and/or otherappropriate parts of the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500.

The rear cover 108 (e.g., second cover) also defines an openingconfigured to accommodate the bezel structure 112. The opening may havea rounded rectangular shape, although other shapes are possibledepending on the shape of the bezel structure 112. In an exampleembodiment, the opening in the rear cover 108 is smaller than theprimary opening in the front cover 104. In addition, although not shown,it should be understood that a light guide arrangement (e.g., includingbuttons) may be provided on the rear of the non-nicotine e-vaping device500 in addition to (or in lieu of) the light guide arrangement on thefront of the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500.

The front cover 104 and the rear cover 108 may be configured to engagewith the frame 106 via a snap-fit arrangement. For instance, the frontcover 104 and/or the rear cover 108 may include clips configured tointerlock with corresponding mating members of the frame 106. In anon-limiting embodiment, the clips may be in a form of tabs withorifices configured to receive the corresponding mating members (e.g.,protrusions with beveled edges) of the frame 106. Alternatively, thefront cover 104 and/or the rear cover 108 may be configured to engagewith the frame 106 via an interference fit (which may also be referredto as a press fit or friction fit). However, it should be understoodthat the front cover 104, the frame 106, and the rear cover 108 may becoupled via other suitable arrangements and techniques.

The device body 100 also includes a mouthpiece 102. The mouthpiece 102may be secured to the proximal end of the frame 106. Additionally, asshown in FIG. 2 , in an example embodiment where the frame 106 issandwiched between the front cover 104 and the rear cover 108, themouthpiece 102 may abut the front cover 104, the frame 106, and the rearcover 108. Furthermore, in a non-limiting embodiment, the mouthpiece 102may be joined with the device housing via a bayonet connection.

FIG. 4 is a proximal end view of the non-nicotine e-vaping device ofFIG. 1 . Referring to FIG. 4 , the outlet face of the mouthpiece 102defines a plurality of vapor outlets. In a non-limiting embodiment, theoutlet face of the mouthpiece 102 may be elliptically-shaped. Inaddition, the outlet face of the mouthpiece 102 may include a firstcrossbar corresponding to a major axis of the elliptically-shaped outletface and a second crossbar corresponding to a minor axis of theelliptically-shaped outlet face. Furthermore, the first crossbar and thesecond crossbar may intersect perpendicularly and be integrally formedparts of the mouthpiece 102. Although the outlet face is shown asdefining four vapor outlets, it should be understood that exampleembodiments are not limited thereto. For instance, the outlet face maydefine less than four (e.g., one, two) vapor outlets or more than four(e.g., six, eight) vapor outlets.

FIG. 5 is a distal end view of the non-nicotine e-vaping device of FIG.1 . Referring to FIG. 5 , the distal end of the non-nicotine e-vapingdevice 500 includes a port 110. The port 110 is configured to receive anelectric current (e.g., via a USB/mini-USB cable) from an external powersource so as to charge an internal power source within the non-nicotinee-vaping device 500. In addition, the port 110 may also be configured tosend data to and/or receive data (e.g., via a USB/mini-USB cable) fromanother non-nicotine e-vaping device or other electronic device (e.g.,phone, tablet, computer). Furthermore, the non-nicotine e-vaping device500 may be configured for wireless communication with another electronicdevice, such as a phone, via an application software (app) installed onthat electronic device. In such an instance, an adult vaper may controlor otherwise interface with the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500 (e.g.,locate the non-nicotine e-vaping device, check usage information, changeoperating parameters) through the app.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the non-nicotine e-vaping device of FIG.1 . FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the pod inlet in FIG. 6 . Referring toFIGS. 6-7 , and as briefly noted above, the non-nicotine e-vaping device500 includes a non-nicotine pod assembly 300 configured to hold anon-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The non-nicotine pod assembly 300has an upstream end (which faces the light guide arrangement) and adownstream end (which faces the mouthpiece 102). In a non-limitingembodiment, the upstream end is an opposing surface of the non-nicotinepod assembly 300 from the downstream end. The upstream end of thenon-nicotine pod assembly 300 defines a pod inlet 322. The device body100 defines a through hole (e.g., through hole 150 in FIG. 9 )configured to receive the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. In an exampleembodiment, the bezel structure 112 of the device body 100 defines thethrough hole and includes an upstream rim. As shown, particularly inFIG. 7 , the upstream rim of the bezel structure 112 is angled (e.g.,dips inward) so as to expose the pod inlet 322 when the non-nicotine podassembly 300 is seated within the through hole of the device body 100.

For instance, rather than following the contour of the front cover 104(so as to be relatively flush with the front face of the non-nicotinepod assembly 300 and, thus, obscure the pod inlet 322), the upstream rimof the bezel structure 112 is in a form of a scoop configured to directambient air into the pod inlet 322. This angled/scoop configuration(e.g., which may be curved) may help reduce or prevent the blockage ofthe air inlet (e.g., pod inlet 322) of the non-nicotine e-vaping device500. The depth of the scoop may be such that less than half (e.g., lessthan a quarter) of the upstream end face of the non-nicotine podassembly 300 is exposed. Additionally, in a non-limiting embodiment, thepod inlet 322 is in a form of a slot. Furthermore, if the device body100 is regarded as extending in a first direction, then the slot may beregarded as extending in a second direction, wherein the seconddirection is transverse to the first direction.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the non-nicotine e-vaping device ofFIG. 6 . In FIG. 8 , the cross-section is taken along the longitudinalaxis of the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500. As shown, the device body100 and the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 include mechanical components,electronic components, and/or circuitry associated with the operation ofthe non-nicotine e-vaping device 500, which are discussed in more detailherein and/or are incorporated by reference herein. For instance, thenon-nicotine pod assembly 300 may include mechanical componentsconfigured to actuate to release the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulationfrom a sealed reservoir within. The non-nicotine pod assembly 300 mayalso have mechanical aspects configured to engage with the device body100 to facilitate the insertion and seating of the non-nicotine podassembly 300.

Additionally, the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may be a “smart pod”that includes electronic components and/or circuitry configured tostore, receive, and/or transmit information to/from the device body 100.Such information may be used to authenticate the non-nicotine podassembly 300 for use with the device body 100 (e.g., to prevent usage ofan unapproved/counterfeit non-nicotine pod assembly). Furthermore, theinformation may be used to identify a type of the non-nicotine podassembly 300 which is then correlated with a vaping profile based on theidentified type. The vaping profile may be designed to set forth thegeneral parameters for the heating of the non-nicotine pre-vaporformulation and may be subject to tuning, refining, or other adjustmentby an adult vaper before and/or during vaping.

The non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may also communicate other informationwith the device body 100 that may be relevant to the operation of thenon-nicotine e-vaping device 500. Examples of relevant information mayinclude a level of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation within thenon-nicotine pod assembly 300 and/or a length of time that has passedsince the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 was inserted into the devicebody 100 and activated. For instance, if the non-nicotine pod assembly300 was inserted into the device body 100 and activated more than acertain period of time prior (e.g., more than 6 months ago), thenon-nicotine e-vaping device 500 may not permit vaping, and the adultvaper may be prompted to change to a new non-nicotine pod assembly eventhough the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 still contains adequate levelsof non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation.

The device body 100 may include mechanical components (e.g.,complementary structures) configured to engage, hold, and/or activatethe non-nicotine pod assembly 300. In addition, the device body 100 mayinclude electronic components and/or circuitry configured to receive anelectric current to charge an internal power source (e.g., battery)which, in turn, is configured to supply power to the non-nicotine podassembly 300 during vaping. Furthermore, the device body 100 may includeelectronic components and/or circuitry configured to communicate withthe non-nicotine pod assembly 300, a different non-nicotine e-vapingdevice, other electronic devices (e.g., phone, tablet, computer), and/orthe adult vaper. The information being communicated may includepod-specific data, current vaping details, and/or past vapingpatterns/history. The adult vaper may be notified of such communicationswith feedback that is haptic (e.g., vibrations), auditory (e.g., beeps),and/or visual (e.g., colored/blinking lights). The charging and/orcommunication of information may be performed with the port 110 (e.g.,via a USB/mini-USB cable).

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the device body of the non-nicotinee-vaping device of FIG. 6 . Referring to FIG. 9 , the bezel structure112 of the device body 100 defines a through hole 150. The through hole150 is configured to receive a non-nicotine pod assembly 300. Tofacilitate the insertion and seating of the non-nicotine pod assembly300 within the through hole 150, the upstream rim of the bezel structure112 includes a first upstream protrusion 128 a and a second upstreamprotrusion 128 b. The through hole 150 may have a rectangular shape withrounded corners. In an example embodiment, the first upstream protrusion128 a and the second upstream protrusion 128 b are integrally formedwith the bezel structure 112 and located at the two rounded corners ofthe upstream rim.

The downstream sidewall of the bezel structure 112 may define a firstdownstream opening, a second downstream opening, and a third downstreamopening. A retention structure including a first downstream protrusion130 a and a second downstream protrusion 130 b is engaged with the bezelstructure 112 such that the first downstream protrusion 130 a and thesecond downstream protrusion 130 b protrude through the first downstreamopening and the second downstream opening, respectively, of the bezelstructure 112 and into the through hole 150. In addition, a distal endof the mouthpiece 102 extends through the third downstream opening ofthe bezel structure 112 and into the through hole 150 so as to bebetween the first downstream protrusion 130 a and the second downstreamprotrusion 130 b.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the device body of FIG. 9 . Referring to FIG.10 , the device body 100 includes a device electrical connector 132disposed at an upstream side of the through hole 150. The deviceelectrical connector 132 of the device body 100 is configured toelectrically engage with a non-nicotine pod assembly 300 that is seatedwithin the through hole 150. As a result, power can be supplied from thedevice body 100 to the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 via the deviceelectrical connector 132 during vaping. In addition, data can be sent toand/or received from the device body 100 and the non-nicotine podassembly 300 via the device electrical connector 132.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the through hole in FIG. 10 .Referring to FIG. 11 , the first upstream protrusion 128 a, the secondupstream protrusion 128 b, the first downstream protrusion 130 a, thesecond downstream protrusion 130 b, and the distal end of the mouthpiece102 protrude into the through hole 150. In an example embodiment, thefirst upstream protrusion 128 a and the second upstream protrusion 128 bare stationary structures (e.g., stationary pivots), while the firstdownstream protrusion 130 a and the second downstream protrusion 130 bare tractable structures (e.g., retractable members). For instance, thefirst downstream protrusion 130 a and the second downstream protrusion130 b may be configured (e.g., spring-loaded) to default to a protractedstate while also configured to transition temporarily to a retractedstate (and reversibly back to the protracted state) to facilitate aninsertion of a non-nicotine pod assembly 300.

In particular, when inserting a non-nicotine pod assembly 300 into thethrough hole 150 of the device body 100, recesses at the upstream endface of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may be initially engaged withthe first upstream protrusion 128 a and the second upstream protrusion128 b followed by a pivoting of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 (aboutthe first upstream protrusion 128 a and the second upstream protrusion128 b) until recesses at the downstream end face of the non-nicotine podassembly 300 are engaged with the first downstream protrusion 130 a andthe second downstream protrusion 130 b. In such an instance, the axis ofrotation (during pivoting) of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may beorthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the device body 100. In addition,the first downstream protrusion 130 a and the second downstreamprotrusion 130 b, which may be biased so as to be tractable, may retractwhen the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is being pivoted into the throughhole 150 and resiliently protract to engage recesses at the downstreamend face of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. Furthermore, theengagement of the first downstream protrusion 130 a and the seconddownstream protrusion 130 b with recesses at the downstream end face ofthe non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may produce a haptic and/or auditoryfeedback (e.g., audible click) to notify an adult vaper that thenon-nicotine pod assembly 300 is properly seated in the through hole 150of the device body 100.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the device electricalcontacts in FIG. 10 . The device electrical contacts of the device body100 are configured to engage with the pod electrical contacts of thenon-nicotine pod assembly 300 when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 isseated within the through hole 150 of the device body 100. Referring toFIG. 12 , the device electrical contacts of the device body 100 includethe device electrical connector 132. The device electrical connector 132includes power contacts and data contacts. The power contacts of thedevice electrical connector 132 are configured to supply power from thedevice body 100 to the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. As illustrated,the power contacts of the device electrical connector 132 include afirst pair of power contacts and a second pair of power contacts (whichare positioned so as to be closer to the front cover 104 than the rearcover 108). The first pair of power contacts (e.g., the pair adjacent tothe first upstream protrusion 128 a) may be a single integral structurethat is distinct from the second pair of power contacts and that, whenassembled, includes two projections that extend into the through hole150. Similarly, the second pair of power contacts (e.g., the pairadjacent to the second upstream protrusion 128 b) may be a singleintegral structure that is distinct from the first pair of powercontacts and that, when assembled, includes two projections that extendinto the through hole 150. The first pair of power contacts and thesecond pair of power contacts of the device electrical connector 132 maybe tractably-mounted and biased so as to protract into the through hole150 as a default and to retract (e.g., independently) from the throughhole 150 when subjected to a force that overcomes the bias.

The data contacts of the device electrical connector 132 are configuredto transmit data between a non-nicotine pod assembly 300 and the devicebody 100. As illustrated, the data contacts of the device electricalconnector 132 include a row of five projections (which are positioned soas to be closer to the rear cover 108 than the front cover 104). Thedata contacts of the device electrical connector 132 may be distinctstructures that, when assembled, extend into the through hole 150. Thedata contacts of the device electrical connector 132 may also betractably-mounted and biased (e.g., with springs) so as to protract intothe through hole 150 as a default and to retract (e.g., independently)from the through hole 150 when subjected to a force that overcomes thebias. For instance, when a non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is insertedinto the through hole 150 of the device body 100, the pod electricalcontacts of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 will press against thecorresponding device electrical contacts of the device body 100. As aresult, the power contacts and the data contacts of the deviceelectrical connector 132 will be retracted (e.g., at least partiallyretracted) into the device body 100 but will continue to push againstthe corresponding pod electrical contacts due to their resilientarrangement, thereby helping to ensure a proper electrical connectionbetween the device body 100 and the non-nicotine pod assembly 300.Furthermore, such a connection may also be mechanically secure and haveminimal contact resistance so as to allow power and/or signals betweenthe device body 100 and the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 to betransferred and/or communicated reliably and accurately. While variousaspects have been discussed in connection with the device electricalcontacts of the device body 100, it should be understood that exampleembodiments are not limited thereto and that other configurations may beutilized.

FIG. 13 is a partially exploded view involving the mouthpiece in FIG. 12. Referring to FIG. 13 , the mouthpiece 102 is configured to engage withthe device housing via a retention structure 140. In an exampleembodiment, the retention structure 140 is situated so as to beprimarily between the frame 106 and the bezel structure 112. As shown,the retention structure 140 is disposed within the device housing suchthat the proximal end of the retention structure 140 extends through theproximal end of the frame 106. The retention structure 140 may extendslightly beyond the proximal end of the frame 106 or be substantiallyeven therewith. The proximal end of the retention structure 140 isconfigured to receive a distal end of the mouthpiece 102. The proximalend of the retention structure 140 may be a female end, while the distalend of the mouthpiece may be a male end.

For instance, the mouthpiece 102 may be coupled (e.g., reversiblycoupled) to the retention structure 140 with a bayonet connection. Insuch an instance, the female end of the retention structure 140 maydefine a pair of opposing L-shaped slots, while the male end of themouthpiece 102 may have opposing radial members 134 (e.g., radial pins)configured to engage with the L-shaped slots of the retention structure140. Each of the L-shaped slots of the retention structure 140 may havea longitudinal portion and a circumferential portion. Optionally, theterminus of the circumferential portion may have a serif portion to helpreduce or prevent the likelihood that that a radial member 134 of themouthpiece 102 will inadvertently become disengaged. In a non-limitingembodiment, the longitudinal portions of the L-shaped slots extend inparallel and along a longitudinal axis of the device body 100, while thecircumferential portions of the L-shaped slots extend around thelongitudinal axis (e.g., central axis) of the device body 100. As aresult, to couple the mouthpiece 102 to the device housing, themouthpiece 102 shown in FIG. 13 is initially rotated 90 degrees to alignthe radial members 134 with the entrances to the longitudinal portionsof the L-shaped slots of the retention structure 140. The mouthpiece 102is then pushed into the retention structure 140 such that the radialmembers 134 slide along the longitudinal portions of the L-shaped slotsuntil the junction with each of the circumferential portions is reached.At this point, the mouthpiece 102 is then rotated such that the radialmembers 134 travel across the circumferential portions until theterminus of each is reached. Where a serif portion is present at eachterminus, a haptic and/or auditory feedback (e.g., audible click) may beproduced to notify an adult vaper that the mouthpiece 102 has beenproperly coupled to the device housing.

The mouthpiece 102 defines a vapor passage 136 through whichnon-nicotine vapor flows during vaping. The vapor passage 136 is influidic communication with the through hole 150 (which is where thenon-nicotine pod assembly 300 is seated within the device body 100). Theproximal end of the vapor passage 136 may include a flared portion. Inaddition, the mouthpiece 102 may include an end cover 138. The end cover138 may taper from its distal end to its proximal end. The outlet faceof the end cover 138 defines a plurality of vapor outlets. Although fourvapor outlets are shown in the end cover 138, it should be understoodthat example embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 14 is a partially exploded view involving the bezel structure inFIG. 9 . FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the mouthpiece,springs, retention structure, and bezel structure in FIG. 14 . Referringto FIGS. 14-15 , the bezel structure 112 includes an upstream sidewalland a downstream sidewall. The upstream sidewall of the bezel structure112 defines a connector opening 146. The connector opening 146 isconfigured to expose or receive the device electrical connector 132 ofthe device body 100. The downstream sidewall of the bezel structure 112defines a first downstream opening 148 a, a second downstream opening148 b, and a third downstream opening 148 c. The first downstreamopening 148 a and the second downstream opening 148 b of the bezelstructure 112 are configured to receive the first downstream protrusion130 a and the second downstream protrusion 130 b, respectively, of theretention structure 140. The third downstream opening 148 c of the bezelstructure 112 is configured to receive the distal end of the mouthpiece102.

As shown in FIG. 14 , the first downstream protrusion 130 a and thesecond downstream protrusion 130 b are on the concave side of theretention structure 140. As shown in FIG. 15 , a first post 142 a and asecond post 142 b are on the opposing convex side of the retentionstructure 140. A first spring 144 a and a second spring 144 b aredisposed on the first post 142 a and the second post 142 b,respectively. The first spring 144 a and the second spring 144 b areconfigured to bias the retention structure 140 against the bezelstructure 112.

When assembled, the bezel structure 112 may be secured to the frame 106via a pair of tabs adjacent to the connector opening 146. In addition,the retention structure 140 will abut the bezel structure 112 such thatthe first downstream protrusion 130 a and the second downstreamprotrusion 130 b extend through the first downstream opening 148 a andthe second downstream opening 148 b, respectively. The mouthpiece 102will be coupled to the retention structure 140 such that the distal endof the mouthpiece 102 extends through the retention structure 140 aswell as the third downstream opening 148 c of the bezel structure 112.The first spring 144 a and the second spring 144 b will be between theframe 106 and the retention structure 140.

When a non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is being inserted into the throughhole 150 of the device body 100, the downstream end of the non-nicotinepod assembly 300 will push against the first downstream protrusion 130 aand the second downstream protrusion 130 b of the retention structure140. As a result, the first downstream protrusion 130 a and the seconddownstream protrusion 130 b of the retention structure 140 willresiliently yield and retract from the through hole 150 of the devicebody 100 (by virtue of compression of the first spring 144 a and thesecond spring 144 b), thereby allowing the insertion of the non-nicotinepod assembly 300 to proceed. In an example embodiment, when the firstdownstream protrusion 130 a and the second downstream protrusion 130 bare fully retracted from the through hole 150 of the device body 100,the displacement of the retention structure 140 may cause the ends ofthe first post 142 a and the second post 142 b to contact the inner endsurface of the frame 106. Furthermore, because the mouthpiece 102 iscoupled to the retention structure 140, the distal end of the mouthpiece102 will retract from the through hole 150, thus causing the proximalend of the mouthpiece 102 (e.g., visible portion including the end cover138) to also shift by a corresponding distance away from the devicehousing.

Once the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is adequately inserted such thatthe first downstream recess and the second downstream recess of thenon-nicotine pod assembly 300 reach a position that allows an engagementwith the first downstream protrusion 130 a and the second downstreamprotrusion 130 b, respectively, the stored energy from the compressionof the first spring 144 a and the second spring 144 b will cause thefirst downstream protrusion 130 a and the second downstream protrusion130 b to resiliently protract and engage with the first downstreamrecess and the second downstream recess, respectively, of thenon-nicotine pod assembly 300. Furthermore, the engagement may produce ahaptic and/or auditory feedback (e.g., audible click) to notify an adultvaper that the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is properly seated withinthe through hole 150 of the device body 100.

FIG. 16 is a partially exploded view involving the front cover, theframe, and the rear cover in FIG. 14 . Referring to FIG. 16 , variousmechanical components, electronic components, and/or circuitryassociated with the operation of the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500may be secured to the frame 106. The front cover 104 and the rear cover108 may be configured to engage with the frame 106 via a snap-fitarrangement. In an example embodiment, the front cover 104 and the rearcover 108 include clips configured to interlock with correspondingmating members of the frame 106. The clips may be in a form of tabs withorifices configured to receive the corresponding mating members (e.g.,protrusions with beveled edges) of the frame 106. In FIG. 16 , the frontcover 104 has two rows with four clips each (for a total of eight clipsfor the front cover 104). Similarly, the rear cover 108 has two rowswith four clips each (for a total of eight clips for the rear cover108). The corresponding mating members of the frame 106 may be on theinner sidewalls of the frame 106. As a result, the engaged clips andmating members may be hidden from view when the front cover 104 and therear cover 108 are snapped together. Alternatively, the front cover 104and/or the rear cover 108 may be configured to engage with the frame 106via an interference fit. However, it should be understood that the frontcover 104, the frame 106, and the rear cover 108 may be coupled viaother suitable arrangements and techniques.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the non-nicotine pod assembly of thenon-nicotine e-vaping device in FIG. 6 . FIG. 18 is another perspectiveview of the non-nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 17 . FIG. 19 is anotherperspective view of the non-nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 18 . Referringto FIGS. 17-19 , the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 for the non-nicotinee-vaping device 500 includes a pod body configured to hold anon-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The pod body has an upstream end anda downstream end. The upstream end of the pod body defines a cavity 310(FIG. 20 ). The downstream end of the pod body defines a pod outlet 304that is in fluidic communication with the cavity 310 at the upstreamend. A connector module 320 is configured to be seated within the cavity310 of the pod body. The connector module 320 includes an external faceand a side face. The external face of the connector module 320 forms anexterior of the pod body.

The external face of the connector module 320 defines a pod inlet 322.The pod inlet 322 (through which air enters during vaping) is in fluidiccommunication with the pod outlet 304 (through which a non-nicotinevapor exits during vaping). The pod inlet 322 is shown in FIG. 19 asbeing in a form of a slot. However, it should be understood that exampleembodiments are not limited thereto and that other forms are possible.When the connector module 320 is seated within the cavity 310 of the podbody, the external face of the connector module 320 remains visible,while the side face of the connector module 320 becomes mostly obscuredso as to be only partially viewable through the pod inlet 322 based on agiven angle.

The external face of the connector module 320 includes at least oneelectrical contact. The at least one electrical contact may include aplurality of power contacts. For instance, the plurality of powercontacts may include a first power contact 324 a and a second powercontact 324 b. The first power contact 324 a of the non-nicotine podassembly 300 is configured to electrically connect with the first pairof power contacts (e.g., the pair adjacent to the first upstreamprotrusion 128 a in FIG. 12 ) of the device electrical connector 132 ofthe device body 100. Similarly, the second power contact 324 b of thenon-nicotine pod assembly 300 is configured to electrically connect withthe second pair of power contacts (e.g., the pair adjacent to the secondupstream protrusion 128 b in FIG. 12 ) of the device electricalconnector 132 of the device body 100. In addition, the at least oneelectrical contact of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 includes aplurality of data contacts 326. The plurality of data contacts 326 ofthe non-nicotine pod assembly 300 are configured to electrically connectwith the data contacts of the device electrical connector 132 (e.g., rowof five projections in FIG. 12 ). While two power contacts and five datacontacts are shown in connection with the non-nicotine pod assembly 300,it should be understood that other variations are possible depending onthe design of the device body 100.

In an example embodiment, the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 includes afront face, a rear face opposite the front face, a first side facebetween the front face and the rear face, a second side face oppositethe first side face, an upstream end face, and a downstream end faceopposite the upstream end face. The corners of the side and end faces(e.g., corner of the first side face and the upstream end face, cornerof upstream end face and the second side face, corner of the second sideface and the downstream end face, corner of the downstream end face andthe first side face) may be rounded. However, in some instances, thecorners may be angular. In addition, the peripheral edge of the frontface may be in a form of a ledge. The external face of the connectormodule 320 may be regarded as being part of the upstream end face of thenon-nicotine pod assembly 300. The front face of the non-nicotine podassembly 300 may be wider and longer than the rear face. In such aninstance, the first side face and the second side face may be angledinwards towards each other. The upstream end face and the downstream endface may also be angled inwards towards each other. Because of theangled faces, the insertion of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 will beunidirectional (e.g., from the front side (side associated with thefront cover 104) of the device body 100). As a result, the possibilitythat the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 will be improperly inserted intothe device body 100 can be reduced or prevented.

As illustrated, the pod body of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300includes a first housing section 302 and a second housing section 308.The first housing section 302 has a downstream end defining the podoutlet 304. The rim of the pod outlet 304 may optionally be a sunken orindented region. In such an instance, this region may resemble a cove,wherein the side of the rim adjacent to the rear face of thenon-nicotine pod assembly 300 may be open, while the side of the rimadjacent to the front face may be surrounded by a raised portion of thedownstream end of the first housing section 302. The raised portion mayfunction as a stopper for the distal end of the mouthpiece 102. As aresult, this configuration for the pod outlet 304 may facilitate thereceiving and aligning of the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 (e.g.,FIG. 11 ) via the open side of the rim and its subsequent seatingagainst the raised portion of the downstream end of the first housingsection 302. In a non-limiting embodiment, the distal end of themouthpiece 102 may also include (or be formed of) a resilient materialto help create a seal around the pod outlet 304 when the non-nicotinepod assembly 300 is properly inserted within the through hole 150 of thedevice body 100.

The downstream end of the first housing section 302 additionally definesat least one downstream recess. In an example embodiment, the at leastone downstream recess is in a form of a first downstream recess 306 aand a second downstream recess 306 b. The pod outlet 304 may be betweenthe first downstream recess 306 a and the second downstream recess 306b. The first downstream recess 306 a and the second downstream recess306 b are configured to engage with the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130 b, respectively, of thedevice body 100. As shown in FIG. 11 , the first downstream protrusion130 a and the second downstream protrusion 130 b of the device body 100may be disposed on adjacent corners of the downstream sidewall of thethrough hole 150. The first downstream recess 306 a and the seconddownstream recess 306 b may each be in a form of a V-shaped notch. Insuch an instance, each of the first downstream protrusion 130 a and thesecond downstream protrusion 130 b of the device body 100 may be in aform of a wedge-shaped structure configured to engage with acorresponding V-shaped notch of the first downstream recess 306 a andthe second downstream recess 306 b. The first downstream recess 306 amay abut the corner of the downstream end face and the first side face,while the second downstream recess 306 b may abut the corner of thedownstream end face and the second side face. As a result, the edges ofthe first downstream recess 306 a and the second downstream recess 306 badjacent to the first side face and the second side face, respectively,may be open. In such an instance, as shown in FIG. 18 , each of thefirst downstream recess 306 a and the second downstream recess 306 b maybe a 3-sided recess.

The second housing section 308 has an upstream end defining the cavity310 (FIG. 20 ). The cavity 310 is configured to receive the connectormodule 320 (FIG. 21 ). In addition, the upstream end of the secondhousing section 308 defines at least one upstream recess. In an exampleembodiment, the at least one upstream recess is in a form of a firstupstream recess 312 a and a second upstream recess 312 b. The pod inlet322 may be between the first upstream recess 312 a and the secondupstream recess 312 b. The first upstream recess 312 a and the secondupstream recess 312 b are configured to engage with the first upstreamprotrusion 128 a and the second upstream protrusion 128 b, respectively,of the device body 100. As shown in FIG. 12 , the first upstreamprotrusion 128 a and the second upstream protrusion 128 b of the devicebody 100 may be disposed on adjacent corners of the upstream sidewall ofthe through hole 150. A depth of each of the first upstream recess 312 aand the second upstream recess 312 b may be greater than a depth of eachof the first downstream recess 306 a and the second downstream recess306 b. A terminus of each of the first upstream recess 312 a and thesecond upstream recess 312 b may also be more rounded than a terminus ofeach of the first downstream recess 306 a and the second downstreamrecess 306 b. For instance, the first upstream recess 312 a and thesecond upstream recess 312 b may each be in a form of a U-shapedindentation. In such an instance, each of the first upstream protrusion128 a and the second upstream protrusion 128 b of the device body 100may be in a form of a rounded knob configured to engage with acorresponding U-shaped indentation of the first upstream recess 312 aand the second upstream recess 312 b. The first upstream recess 312 amay abut the corner of the upstream end face and the first side face,while the second upstream recess 312 b may abut the corner of theupstream end face and the second side face. As a result, the edges ofthe first upstream recess 312 a and the second upstream recess 312 badjacent to the first side face and the second side face, respectively,may be open.

The first housing section 302 may define a reservoir within configuredto hold the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The reservoir may beconfigured to hermetically seal the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulationuntil an activation of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 to release thenon-nicotine pre-vapor formulation from the reservoir. As a result ofthe hermetic seal, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation may beisolated from the environment as well as the internal elements of thenon-nicotine pod assembly 300 that may potentially react with thenon-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, thereby reducing or preventing thepossibility of adverse effects to the shelf-life and/or sensorialcharacteristics (e.g., flavor) of the non-nicotine pre-vaporformulation. The second housing section 308 may contain structuresconfigured to activate the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 and to receiveand heat the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation released from thereservoir after the activation.

The non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may be activated manually by an adultvaper prior to the insertion of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 intothe device body 100. Alternatively, the non-nicotine pod assembly 300may be activated as part of the insertion of the non-nicotine podassembly 300 into the device body 100. In an example embodiment, thesecond housing section 308 of the pod body includes a perforatorconfigured to release the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation from thereservoir during the activation of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300.The perforator may be in a form of a first activation pin 314 a and asecond activation pin 314 b, which will be discussed in more detailherein.

To activate the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 manually, an adult vapermay press the first activation pin 314 a and the second activation pin314 b inward (e.g., simultaneously or sequentially) prior to insertingthe non-nicotine pod assembly 300 into the through hole 150 of thedevice body 100. For instance, the first activation pin 314 a and thesecond activation pin 314 b may be manually pressed until the endsthereof are substantially even with the upstream end face of thenon-nicotine pod assembly 300. In an example embodiment, the inwardmovement of the first activation pin 314 a and the second activation pin314 b causes a seal of the reservoir to be punctured or otherwisecompromised so as to release the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulationtherefrom.

Alternatively, to activate the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 as part ofthe insertion of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 into the device body100, the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is initially positioned such thatthe first upstream recess 312 a and the second upstream recess 312 b areengaged with the first upstream protrusion 128 a and the second upstreamprotrusion 128 b, respectively (e.g., upstream engagement). Because eachof the first upstream protrusion 128 a and the second upstreamprotrusion 128 b of the device body 100 may be in a form of a roundedknob configured to engage with a corresponding U-shaped indentation ofthe first upstream recess 312 a and the second upstream recess 312 b,the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may be subsequently pivoted withrelative ease about the first upstream protrusion 128 a and the secondupstream protrusion 128 b and into the through hole 150 of the devicebody 100.

With regard to the pivoting of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, theaxis of rotation may be regarded as extending through the first upstreamprotrusion 128 a and the second upstream protrusion 128 b and orientedorthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the device body 100. During theinitial positioning and subsequent pivoting of the non-nicotine podassembly 300, the first activation pin 314 a and the second activationpin 314 b will come into contact with the upstream sidewall of thethrough hole 150 and transition from a protracted state to a retractedstate as the first activation pin 314 a and the second activation pin314 b are pushed (e.g., simultaneously) into the second housing section308 as the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 progresses into the throughhole 150. When the downstream end of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300reaches the vicinity of the downstream sidewall of the through hole 150and comes into contact with the first downstream protrusion 130 a andthe second downstream protrusion 130 b, the first downstream protrusion130 a and the second downstream protrusion 130 b will retract and thenresiliently protract (e.g., spring back) when the positioning of thenon-nicotine pod assembly 300 allows the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130 b of the device body 100 toengage with the first downstream recess 306 a and the second downstreamrecess 306 b, respectively, of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 (e.g.,downstream engagement).

As noted supra, according to an example embodiment, the mouthpiece 102is secured to the retention structure 140 (of which the first downstreamprotrusion 130 a and the second downstream protrusion 130 b are a part).In such an instance, the retraction of the first downstream protrusion130 a and the second downstream protrusion 130 b from the through hole150 will cause a simultaneous shift of the mouthpiece 102 by acorresponding distance in the same direction (e.g., downstreamdirection). Conversely, the mouthpiece 102 will spring backsimultaneously with the first downstream protrusion 130 a and the seconddownstream protrusion 130 b when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 hasbeen sufficiently inserted to facilitate downstream engagement. Inaddition to the resilient engagement by the first downstream protrusion130 a and the second downstream protrusion 130 b, the distal end of themouthpiece 102 is configured to also be biased against the non-nicotinepod assembly 300 (and aligned with the pod outlet 304 so as to form arelatively vapor-tight seal) when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 isproperly seated within the through hole 150 of the device body 100.

Furthermore, the downstream engagement may produce an audible clickand/or a haptic feedback to indicate that the non-nicotine pod assembly300 is properly seated within the through hole 150 of the device body100. When properly seated, the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 will beconnected to the device body 100 mechanically, electrically, andfluidically. Although the non-limiting embodiments herein describe theupstream engagement of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 as occurringbefore the downstream engagement, it should be understood that thepertinent mating, activation, and/or electrical arrangements may bereversed such that the downstream engagement occurs before the upstreamengagement. The engagement of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 with thedevice body 100 as well as other aspects of the non-nicotine e-vapingdevice 500 may also be as described in U.S. application Ser. No.16/695,563, titled “Non-nicotine Pod Assemblies And Non-nicotineE-vaping Devices” (Atty. Dkt. No. 24000NV-000624-US), filed Nov. 26,2019, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the non-nicotine pod assembly of FIG.19 without the connector module. Referring to FIG. 20 , the upstream endof the second housing section 308 defines a cavity 310. As noted supra,the cavity 310 is configured to receive the connector module 320 (e.g.,via interference fit). In an example embodiment, the cavity 310 issituated between the first upstream recess 312 a and the second upstreamrecess 312 b and also situated between the first activation pin 314 aand the second activation pin 314 b. In the absence of the connectormodule 320, an insert 342 (FIG. 24 ) and an absorbent material 346 (FIG.25 ) are visible through a recessed opening in the cavity 310. Theinsert 342 is configured to retain the absorbent material 346. Theabsorbent material 346 is configured to absorb and hold a quantity ofthe non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation released from the reservoir whenthe non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is activated. The insert 342 and theabsorbent material 346 will be discussed in more detail herein.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the connector module in FIG. 19 . FIG.22 is another perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 21 .Referring to FIGS. 21-22 , the general framework of the connector module320 includes a module housing 354 and a face plate 366. In addition, theconnector module 320 has a plurality of faces, including an externalface and a side face, wherein the external face is adjacent to the sideface. In an example embodiment, the external face of the connectormodule 320 is composed of upstream surfaces of the face plate 366, thefirst power contact 324 a, the second power contact 324 b, and the datacontacts 326. The side face of the connector module 320 is part of themodule housing 354. The side face of the connector module 320 defines afirst module inlet 330 and a second module inlet 332. Furthermore, thetwo lateral faces adjacent to the side face (which are also part of themodule housing 354) may include rib structures (e.g., crush ribs)configured to facilitate an interference fit when the connector module320 is seated within the cavity 310 of the pod body. For instance, eachof the two lateral faces may include a pair of rib structures that taperaway from the face plate 366. As a result, the module housing 354 willencounter increasing resistance via the friction of the rib structuresagainst the lateral walls of the cavity 310 as the connector module 320is pressed into the cavity 310 of the pod body. When the connectormodule 320 is seated within the cavity 310, the face plate 366 may besubstantially flush with the upstream end of the second housing section308. Also, the side face (which defines the first module inlet 330 andthe second module inlet 332) of the connector module 320 will be facinga sidewall of the cavity 310.

The face plate 366 of the connector module 320 may have a grooved edge328 that, in combination with a corresponding side surface of the cavity310, defines the pod inlet 322. However, it should be understood thatexample embodiments are not limited thereto. For instance, the faceplate 366 of the connector module 320 may be alternatively configured soas to entirely define the pod inlet 322. The side face (which definesthe first module inlet 330 and the second module inlet 332) of theconnector module 320 and the sidewall of the cavity 310 (which faces theside face) define an intermediate space in between. The intermediatespace is downstream from the pod inlet 322 and upstream from the firstmodule inlet 330 and the second module inlet 332. Thus, in an exampleembodiment, the pod inlet 322 is in fluidic communication with both thefirst module inlet 330 and the second module inlet 332 via theintermediate space. The first module inlet 330 may be larger than thesecond module inlet 332. In such an instance, when incoming air isreceived by the pod inlet 322 during vaping, the first module inlet 330may receive a primary flow (e.g., larger flow) of the incoming air,while the second module inlet 332 may receive a secondary flow (e.g.,smaller flow) of the incoming air.

As shown in FIG. 22 , the connector module 320 includes a wick 338 thatis configured to transfer a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation to aheater 336. The heater 336 is configured to heat the non-nicotinepre-vapor formulation during vaping to generate a non-nicotine vapor.The heater 336 may be mounted in the connector module 320 via a contactcore 334. The heater 336 is electrically connected to at least oneelectrical contact of the connector module 320. For instance, one end(e.g., first end) of the heater 336 may be connected to the first powercontact 324 a, while the other end (e.g., second end) of the heater 336may be connected to the second power contact 324 b. In an exampleembodiment, the heater 336 includes a folded heating element. In such aninstance, the wick 338 may have a planar form configured to be held bythe folded heating element. When the connector module 320 is seatedwithin the cavity 310 of the pod body, the wick 338 is configured to bein fluidic communication with the absorbent material 346 such that thenon-nicotine pre-vapor formulation that will be in the absorbentmaterial 346 (when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is activated) willbe transferred to the wick 338 via capillary action.

FIG. 23 is an exploded view involving the wick, heater, electricalleads, and contact core in FIG. 22 . Referring to FIG. 23 , the wick 338may be a fibrous pad or other structure with pores/interstices designedfor capillary action. In addition, the wick 338 may have a shape of anirregular hexagon, although example embodiments are not limited thereto.The wick 338 may be fabricated into the hexagonal shape or cut from alarger sheet of material into this shape. Because the lower section ofthe wick 338 is tapered towards the winding section of the heater 336,the likelihood of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation being in a partof the wick 338 that continuously evades vaporization (due to itsdistance from the heater 336) can be reduced or avoided.

In an example embodiment, the heater 336 is configured to undergo Jouleheating (which is also known as ohmic/resistive heating) upon theapplication of an electric current thereto. Stated in more detail, theheater 336 may be formed of one or more conductors (resistive materials)and configured to produce heat when an electric current passestherethrough. The electric current may be supplied from a power source(e.g., battery) within the device body 100 and conveyed to the heater336 via the first power contact 324 a and the first electrical lead 340a (or via the second power contact 324 b and the second electrical lead340 b).

Suitable conductors (resistive materials) for the heater 336 include aniron-based alloy (e.g., stainless steel) and/or a nickel-based alloy(e.g., nichrome). The heater 336 may be fabricated from a conductivesheet (e.g., metal, alloy) that is stamped to cut a winding patterntherefrom. The winding pattern may have curved segments alternatelyarranged with horizontal segments so as to allow the horizontal segmentsto zigzag back and forth while extending in parallel. In addition, awidth of each of the horizontal segments of the winding pattern may besubstantially equal to a spacing between adjacent horizontal segments ofthe winding pattern, although example embodiments are not limitedthereto. To obtain the form of the heater 336 shown in the drawings, thewinding pattern may be folded so as to grip the wick 338.

The heater 336 may be secured to the contact core 334 with a firstelectrical lead 340 a and a second electrical lead 340 b. The contactcore 334 is formed of an insulating material and configured toelectrically isolate the first electrical lead 340 a from the secondelectrical lead 340 b. In an example embodiment, the first electricallead 340 a and the second electrical lead 340 b each define a femaleaperture that is configured to engage with corresponding male members ofthe contact core 334. Once engaged, the first end and the second end ofthe heater 336 may be secured (e.g., welded, soldered, brazed) to thefirst electrical lead 340 a and the second electrical lead 340 b,respectively. The contact core 334 may then be seated within acorresponding socket in the module housing 354 (e.g., via interferencefit). Upon completion of the assembly of the connector module 320, thefirst electrical lead 340 a will electrically connect a first end of theheater 336 with the first power contact 324 a, while the secondelectrical lead 340 b will electrically connect a second end of theheater 336 with the second power contact 324 b. The heater andassociated structures are discussed in more detail in U.S. applicationSer. No. 15/729,909, titled “Folded Heater For Electronic Vaping Device”(Atty. Dkt. No. 24000-000371-US), filed Oct. 11, 2017, the entirecontents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 24 is an exploded view involving the first housing section of thenon-nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 17 . Referring to FIG. 24 , the firsthousing section 302 includes a vapor channel 316. The vapor channel 316is configured to receive a non-nicotine vapor generated by the heater336 and is in fluidic communication with the pod outlet 304. In anexample embodiment, the vapor channel 316 may gradually increase in size(e.g., diameter) as it extends towards the pod outlet 304. In addition,the vapor channel 316 may be integrally formed with the first housingsection 302. A wrap 318, an insert 342, and a seal 344 are disposed atan upstream end of the first housing section 302 to define the reservoirof the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. For instance, the wrap 318 may bedisposed on the rim of the first housing section 302. The insert 342 maybe seated within the first housing section 302 such that the peripheralsurface of the insert 342 engages with the inner surface of the firsthousing section 302 along the rim (e.g., via interference fit) such thatthe interface of the peripheral surface of the insert 342 and the innersurface of the first housing section 302 is fluid-tight (e.g.,liquid-tight and/or air-tight). Furthermore, the seal 344 is attached tothe upstream side of the insert 342 to close off the reservoir outletsin the insert 342 so as to provide a fluid-tight (e.g., liquid-tightand/or air-tight) containment of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulationin the reservoir.

In an example embodiment, the insert 342 includes a holder portion thatprojects from the upstream side (as shown in FIG. 24 ) and a connectorportion that projects from the downstream side (hidden from view in FIG.24 ). The holder portion of the insert 342 is configured to hold theabsorbent material 346, while the connector portion of the insert 342 isconfigured to engage with the vapor channel 316 of the first housingsection 302. The connector portion of the insert 342 may be configuredto be seated within the vapor channel 316 and, thus, engage the interiorof the vapor channel 316. Alternatively, the connector portion of theinsert 342 may be configured to receive the vapor channel 316 and, thus,engage with the exterior of the vapor channel 316. The insert 342 alsodefines reservoir outlets through which the non-nicotine pre-vaporformulation flows when the seal 344 is punctured (as shown in FIG. 24 )during the activation of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. The holderportion and the connector portion of the insert 342 may be between thereservoir outlets (e.g., first and second reservoir outlets), althoughexample embodiments are not limited thereto. Furthermore, the insert 342defines a vapor conduit extending through the holder portion and theconnector portion. As a result, when the insert 342 is seated within thefirst housing section 302, the vapor conduit of the insert 342 will bealigned with and in fluidic communication with the vapor channel 316 soas to form a continuous path through the reservoir to the pod outlet 304for the non-nicotine vapor generated by the heater 336 during vaping.

The seal 344 is attached to the upstream side of the insert 342 so as tocover the reservoir outlets in the insert 342. In an example embodiment,the seal 344 defines an opening (e.g., central opening) configured toprovide the pertinent clearance to accommodate the holder portion (thatprojects from the upstream side of the insert 342) when the seal 344 isattached to the insert 342. In FIG. 24 , it should be understood thatthe seal 344 is shown in a punctured state. In particular, whenpunctured by the first activation pin 314 a and the second activationpin 314 b of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, the two puncturedsections of the seal 344 will be pushed into the reservoir as flaps (asshown in FIG. 24 ), thus creating two punctured openings (e.g., one oneach side of the central opening) in the seal 344. The size and shape ofthe punctured openings in the seal 344 may correspond to the size andshape of the reservoir outlets in the insert 342. In contrast, when inan unpunctured state, the seal 344 will have a planar form and only oneopening (e.g., central opening). The seal 344 is designed to be strongenough to remain intact during the normal movement and/or handling ofthe non-nicotine pod assembly 300 so as to avoid beingprematurely/inadvertently breached. For instance, the seal 344 may be acoated foil (e.g., aluminum-backed polyethylene terephthalate (PET)).

FIG. 25 is a partially exploded view involving the second housingsection of the non-nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 17 . Referring to FIG.25 , the second housing section 308 is structured to contain variouscomponents configured to release, receive, and heat the non-nicotinepre-vapor formulation. For instance, the first activation pin 314 a andthe second activation pin 314 b are configured to puncture the reservoirin the first housing section 302 to release the non-nicotine pre-vaporformulation. Each of the first activation pin 314 a and the secondactivation pin 314 b has a distal end that extends through correspondingopenings in the second housing section 308. In an example embodiment,the distal ends of the first activation pin 314 a and the secondactivation pin 314 b are visible after assembly (e.g., FIG. 17 ), whilethe remainder of the first activation pin 314 a and the secondactivation pin 314 b are hidden from view within the non-nicotine podassembly 300. In addition, each of the first activation pin 314 a andthe second activation pin 314 b has a proximal end that is positioned soas to be adjacent to and upstream from the seal 344 prior to activationof the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. When the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314 b are pushed into the second housingsection 308 to activate the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, the proximalend of each of the first activation pin 314 a and the second activationpin 314 b will advance through the insert 342 and, as a result, puncturethe seal 344, which will release the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulationfrom the reservoir. The movement of the first activation pin 314 a maybe independent of the movement of the second activation pin 314 b (andvice versa). The first activation pin 314 a and the second activationpin 314 b will be discussed in more detail herein.

The absorbent material 346 is configured to engage with the holderportion of the insert 342 (which, as shown in FIG. 24 , projects fromthe upstream side of the insert 342). The absorbent material 346 mayhave an annular form, although example embodiments are not limitedthereto. As depicted in FIG. 25 , the absorbent material 346 mayresemble a hollow cylinder. In such an instance, the outer diameter ofthe absorbent material 346 may be substantially equal to (or slightlylarger than) the length of the wick 338. The inner diameter of theabsorbent material 346 may be smaller than the average outer diameter ofthe holder portion of the insert 342 so as to result in an interferencefit. To facilitate the engagement with the absorbent material 346, thetip of the holder portion of the insert 342 may be tapered. In addition,although hidden from view in FIG. 25 , the downstream side of the secondhousing section 308 may define a concavity configured receive andsupport the absorbent material 346. An example of such a concavity maybe a circular chamber that is in fluidic communication with anddownstream from the cavity 310. The absorbent material 346 is configuredto receive and hold a quantity of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulationreleased from the reservoir when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 isactivated.

The wick 338 is positioned within the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 soas to be in fluidic communication with the absorbent material 346 suchthat the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation can be drawn from theabsorbent material 346 to the heater 336 via capillary action. The wick338 may physically contact an upstream side of the absorbent material346 (e.g., bottom of the absorbent material 346 based on the view shownin FIG. 25 ). In addition, the wick 338 may be aligned with a diameterof the absorbent material 346, although example embodiments are notlimited thereto.

As illustrated in FIG. 25 (as well as previous FIG. 23 ), the heater 336may have a folded configuration so as to grip and establish thermalcontact with the opposing surfaces of the wick 338. The heater 336 isconfigured to heat the wick 338 during vaping to generate a non-nicotinevapor. To facilitate such heating, the first end of the heater 336 maybe electrically connected to the first power contact 324 a via the firstelectrical lead 340 a, while the second end of the heater 336 may beelectrically connected to the second power contact 324 b via the secondelectrical lead 340 b. As a result, an electric current may be suppliedfrom a power source (e.g., battery) within the device body 100 andconveyed to the heater 336 via the first power contact 324 a and thefirst electrical lead 340 a (or via the second power contact 324 b andthe second electrical lead 340 b). The first electrical lead 340 a andthe second electrical lead 340 b (which are shown separately in FIG. 23) may be engaged with the contact core 334 (as shown in FIG. 25 ). Therelevant details of other aspects of the connector module 320, which isconfigured to be seated within the cavity 310 of the second housingsection 308, that have been discussed supra (e.g., in connection withFIGS. 21-22 ) and will not be repeated in this section in the interestof brevity. During vaping, the non-nicotine vapor generated by theheater 336 is drawn through the vapor conduit of the insert 342, throughthe vapor channel 316 of the first housing section 302, out the podoutlet 304 of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, and through the vaporpassage 136 of the mouthpiece 102 to the vapor outlet(s).

FIG. 26 is an exploded view of the activation pin in FIG. 25 . Referringto FIG. 26 , the activation pin may be in the form of a first activationpin 314 a and a second activation pin 314 b. While two activation pinsare shown and discussed in connection with the non-limiting embodimentsherein, it should be understood that, alternatively, the non-nicotinepod assembly 300 may include only one activation pin. In FIG. 26 , thefirst activation pin 314 a may include a first blade 348 a, a firstactuator 350 a, and a first O-ring 352 a. Similarly, the secondactivation pin 314 b may include a second blade 348 b, a second actuator350 b, and a second O-ring 352 b.

In an example embodiment, the first blade 348 a and the second blade 348b are configured to be mounted or attached to upper portions (e.g.,proximal portions) of the first actuator 350 a and the second actuator350 b, respectively. The mounting or attachment may be achieved via asnap-fit connection, an interference fit (e.g., friction fit)connection, an adhesive, or other suitable coupling technique. The topof each of the first blade 348 a and the second blade 348 b may have oneor more curved or concave edges that taper upward to a pointed tip. Forinstance, each of the first blade 348 a and the second blade 348 b mayhave two pointed tips with a concave edge therebetween and a curved edgeadjacent to each pointed tip. The radii of curvature of the concave edgeand the curved edges may be the same, while their arc lengths maydiffer. The first blade 348 a and the second blade 348 b may be formedof a sheet metal (e.g., stainless steel) that is cut or otherwise shapedto have the desired profile and bent to its final form. In anotherinstance, the first blade 348 a and the second blade 348 b may be formedof plastic.

Based on a plan view, the size and shape of the first blade 348 a, thesecond blade 348 b, and portions of the first actuator 350 a and thesecond actuator 350 b on which they are mounted may correspond to thesize and shape of the reservoir outlets in the insert 342. Additionally,as shown in FIG. 26 , the first actuator 350 a and the second actuator350 b may include projecting edges (e.g., curved inner lips which faceeach other) configured to push the two punctured sections of the seal344 into the reservoir as the first blade 348 a and the second blade 348b advance into the reservoir. In a non-limiting embodiment, when thefirst activation pin 314 a and the second activation pin 314 b are fullyinserted into the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, the two flaps (from thetwo punctured sections of the seal 344, as shown in FIG. 24 ) may bebetween the curved sidewalls of the reservoir outlets of the insert 342and the corresponding curvatures of the projecting edges of the firstactuator 350 a and the second actuator 350 b. As a result, thelikelihood of the two punctured openings in the seal 344 becomingobstructed (by the two flaps from the two punctured sections) may bereduced or prevented. Furthermore, the first actuator 350 a and thesecond actuator 350 b may be configured to guide the non-nicotinepre-vapor formulation from the reservoir toward the absorbent material346.

The lower portion (e.g., distal portion) of each of the first actuator350 a and the second actuator 350 b is configured to extend through abottom section (e.g., upstream end) of the second housing section 308.This rod-like portion of each of the first actuator 350 a and the secondactuator 350 b may also be referred to as the shaft. The first O-ring352 a and the second O-ring 352 b may be seated in annular grooves inthe respective shafts of the first actuator 350 a and the secondactuator 350 b. The first O-ring 352 a and the second O-ring 352 b areconfigured to engage with the shafts of the first actuator 350 a and thesecond actuator 350 b as well as the inner surfaces of the correspondingopenings in the second housing section 308 in order to provide afluid-tight seal. As a result, when the first activation pin 314 a andthe second activation pin 314 b are pushed inward to activate thenon-nicotine pod assembly 300, the first O-ring 352 a and the secondO-ring 352 b may move together with the respective shafts of the firstactuator 350 a and the second actuator 350 b within the correspondingopenings in the second housing section 308 while maintaining theirrespective seals, thereby helping to reduce or prevent leakage of thenon-nicotine pre-vapor formulation through the openings in the secondhousing section 308 for the first activation pin 314 a and the secondactivation pin 314 b. The first O-ring 352 a and the second O-ring 352 bmay be formed of silicone.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 22 withoutthe wick, heater, electrical leads, and contact core. FIG. 28 is anexploded view of the connector module of FIG. 27 . Referring to FIGS.27-28 , the module housing 354 and the face plate 366 generally form theexterior framework of the connector module 320. The module housing 354defines the first module inlet 330 and a grooved edge 356. The groovededge 356 of the module housing 354 exposes the second module inlet 332(which is defined by the bypass structure 358). However, it should beunderstood that the grooved edge 356 may also be regarded as defining amodule inlet (e.g., in combination with the face plate 366). The faceplate 366 has a grooved edge 328 which, together with the correspondingside surface of the cavity 310 of the second housing section 308,defines the pod inlet 322. In addition, the face plate 366 defines afirst contact opening, a second contact opening, and a third contactopening. The first contact opening and the second contact opening may besquare-shaped and configured to expose the first power contact 324 a andthe second power contact 324 b, respectively, while the third contactopening may be rectangular-shaped and configured to expose the pluralityof data contacts 326, although example embodiments are not limitedthereto.

The first power contact 324 a, the second power contact 324 b, a printedcircuit board (PCB) 362, and the bypass structure 358 are disposedwithin the exterior framework formed by the module housing 354 and theface plate 366. The printed circuit board (PCB) 362 includes theplurality of data contacts 326 on its upstream side (which is hiddenfrom view in FIG. 28 ) and a sensor 364 on its downstream side. Thebypass structure 358 defines the second module inlet 332 and a bypassoutlet 360.

During assembly, the first power contact 324 a and the second powercontact 324 b are positioned so as to be visible through the firstcontact opening and the second contact opening, respectively, of theface plate 366. Additionally, the printed circuit board (PCB) 362 ispositioned such that the plurality of data contacts 326 on its upstreamside are visible through the third contact opening of the face plate366. The printed circuit board (PCB) 362 may also overlap the rearsurfaces of the first power contact 324 a and the second power contact324 b. The bypass structure 358 is positioned on the printed circuitboard (PCB) 362 such that the sensor 364 is within an air flow pathdefined by the second module inlet 332 and the bypass outlet 360. Whenassembled, the bypass structure 358 and the printed circuit board (PCB)362 may be regarded as being surrounded on at least four sides by themeandering structures of the first power contact 324 a and the secondpower contact 324 b. In an example embodiment, the bifurcated ends ofthe first power contact 324 a and the second power contact 324 b areconfigured to electrically connect to the first electrical lead 340 aand the second electrical lead 340 b.

When incoming air is received by the pod inlet 322 during vaping, thefirst module inlet 330 may receive a primary flow (e.g., larger flow) ofthe incoming air, while the second module inlet 332 may receive asecondary flow (e.g., smaller flow) of the incoming air. The secondaryflow of the incoming air may improve the sensitivity of the sensor 364.After exiting the bypass structure 358 through the bypass outlet 360,the secondary flow rejoins with the primary flow to form a combined flowthat is drawn into and through the contact core 334 so as to encounterthe heater 336 and the wick 338. In a non-limiting embodiment, theprimary flow may be 60-95% (e.g., 80-90%) of the incoming air, while thesecondary flow may be 5-40% (e.g., 10-20%) of the incoming air. However,it should be understood that other ranges may be utilized, which may beabove or below the ranges disclosed above.

The first module inlet 330 may be a resistance-to-draw (RTD) port, whilethe second module inlet 332 may be a bypass port. In such aconfiguration, the resistance-to-draw for the non-nicotine e-vapingdevice 500 may be adjusted by changing the size of the first moduleinlet 330 (rather than changing the size of the pod inlet 322). In anexample embodiment, the size of the first module inlet 330 may beselected such that the resistance-to-draw is between 25-100 mmH₂O (e.g.,between 30-50 mmH₂O). For instance, a diameter of 1.0 mm for the firstmodule inlet 330 may result in a resistance-to-draw of 88.3 mmH₂O. Inanother instance, a diameter of 1.1 mm for the first module inlet 330may result in a resistance-to-draw of 73.6 mmH₂O. In another instance, adiameter of 1.2 mm for the first module inlet 330 may result in aresistance-to-draw of 58.7 mmH₂O. In yet another instance, a diameter of1.3 mm for the first module inlet 330 may result in a resistance-to-drawof about 40-43 mmH₂O. Notably, the size of the first module inlet 330,because of its internal arrangement, may be adjusted without affectingthe external aesthetics of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, therebyallowing for a more standardized product design for non-nicotine podassemblies with various resistance-to-draw (RTD) while also reducing thelikelihood of an inadvertent blockage of the incoming air. Thenon-nicotine pod assembly 300 as well as other aspects of thenon-nicotine e-vaping device 500 may also be as described in U.S.application Ser. No. 16/696,189, titled “Non-nicotine Pod Assemblies AndNon-nicotine E-vaping Devices” (Atty. Dkt. No. 24000NV-000619-US), filedNov. 26, 2019, and in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/696,081, titled“Non-nicotine Pod Assemblies And Non-nicotine E-vaping Devices” (Atty.Dkt. No. 24000NV-000623-US), filed Nov. 26, 2019, the entire contents ofeach of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In an example embodiment, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation neitherincludes tobacco nor is derived from tobacco. A non-nicotine compound ofthe non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation may be part of, or included in aliquid or a partial-liquid that includes an extract, an oil, an alcohol,a tincture, a suspension, a dispersion, a colloid, a general non-neutral(slightly acidic or slightly basic) solution, or combinations thereof.During the preparation of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, thenon-nicotine compound may be infused into, comingled, or otherwisecombined with the other ingredients of the non-nicotine pre-vaporformulation.

In an example embodiment, the non-nicotine compound undergoes a slow,natural decarboxylation process over an extended duration of time atrelatively low temperatures, including at or below room temperature(e.g., 72° F.). In addition, the non-nicotine compound may undergo asignificantly elevated decarboxylation process (e.g., 50%decarboxylation or greater) if exposed to elevated temperatures,especially in the range of about 175° F. or greater over a period oftime (minutes or hours) at a relatively low pressure such as 1atmosphere. Higher temperatures of about 240° F. or greater can cause arapid or instantaneous decarboxylation to occur at a relatively highdecarboxylation rate, although further elevated temperatures can cause adegradation of some or all of the chemical properties of thenon-nicotine compound(s).

In an example embodiment, the non-nicotine compound may be from amedicinal plant (e.g., a naturally-occurring constituent of a plant thatprovides a medically-accepted therapeutic effect). The medicinal plantmay be a cannabis plant, and the constituent may be at least onecannabis-derived constituent. Cannabinoids (e.g., phytocannabinoids) andterpenes are examples of cannabis-derived constituents. Cannabinoidsinteract with receptors in the body to produce a wide range of effects.As a result, cannabinoids have been used for a variety of medicinalpurposes. Cannabis-derived materials may include the leaf and/or flowermaterial from one or more species of cannabis plants, or extracts fromthe one or more species of cannabis plants. For instance, the one ormore species of cannabis plants may include Cannabis sativa, Cannabisindica, and Cannabis ruderalis. In some example embodiments, thenon-nicotine pre-vapor formulation includes a mixture of cannabis and/orcannabis-derived constituents that are, or are derived from, 60-80%(e.g., 70%) Cannabis sativa and 20-40% (e.g., 30%) Cannabis indica.

Non-limiting examples of cannabis-derived cannabinoids includetetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC),cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN),cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabichromene (CBC), and cannabigerol (CBG).Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is a precursor oftetrahydrocannabinol (THC), while cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) is precursorof cannabidiol (CBD). Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) andcannabidiolic acid (CBDA) may be converted to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)and cannabidiol (CBD), respectively, via heating. In an exampleembodiment, heat from the heater may cause decarboxylation to converttetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) in the non-nicotine pre-vaporformulation to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and/or to convertcannabidiolic acid (CBDA) in the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation tocannabidiol (CBD).

In instances where both tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) andtetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are present in the non-nicotine pre-vaporformula the decarboxylation and resulting conversion will cause adecrease in tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and an increase intetrahydrocannabinol (THC). At least 50% (e.g., at least 87%) of thetetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) may be converted totetrahydrocannabinol (THC), via the decarboxylation process, during theheating of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation for purposes ofvaporization. Similarly, in instances where both cannabidiolic acid(CBDA) and cannabidiol (CBD) are present in the non-nicotine pre-vaporformulation, the decarboxylation and resulting conversion will cause adecrease in cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and an increase in cannabidiol(CBD). At least 50% (e.g., at least 87%) of the cannabidiolic acid(CBDA) may be converted to cannabidiol (CBD), via the decarboxylationprocess, during the heating of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulationfor purposes of vaporization.

The non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation may contain the non-nicotinecompound that provides the medically-accepted therapeutic effect (e.g.,treatment of pain, nausea, epilepsy, psychiatric disorders). Details onmethods of treatment may be found in U.S. application Ser. No.15/845,501, filed Dec. 18, 2017, titled “VAPORIZING DEVICES AND METHODSFOR DELIVERING A COMPOUND USING THE SAME,” the disclosure of which isincorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

In an example embodiment, at least one flavorant is present in an amountranging from about 0.2% to about 15% by weight (e.g., about 1% to 12%,about 2% to 10%, or about 5% to 8%) based on a total weight of thenon-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The at least one flavorant may be atleast one of a natural flavorant, an artificial flavorant, or acombination of a natural flavorant and an artificial flavorant. The atleast one flavorant may include volatile cannabis flavor compounds(flavonoids) or other flavor compounds instead of, or in addition to,the cannabis flavor compounds. For instance, the at least one flavorantmay include menthol, wintergreen, peppermint, cinnamon, clove,combinations thereof, and/or extracts thereof. In addition, flavorantsmay be included to provide other herb flavors, fruit flavors, nutflavors, liquor flavors, roasted flavors, minty flavors, savory flavors,combinations thereof, and any other desired flavors.

While a number of example embodiments have been disclosed herein, itshould be understood that other variations may be possible. Suchvariations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit andscope of the present disclosure, and all such modifications as would beobvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within thescope of the following claims.

1. A non-nicotine pod assembly for a non-nicotine e-vaping device,comprising: a pod body configured to hold a non-nicotine pre-vaporformulation, the pod body having an upstream end and a downstream end,the upstream end defining a pod inlet and at least one upstream recess,the downstream end defining a pod outlet and at least one downstreamrecess.
 2. The non-nicotine pod assembly of claim 1, wherein theupstream end is an opposing surface of the pod body from the downstreamend.
 3. The non-nicotine pod assembly of claim 1, wherein a depth of theat least one upstream recess is greater than a depth of the at least onedownstream recess.
 4. The non-nicotine pod assembly of claim 1, whereina terminus of the at least one upstream recess is more rounded than aterminus of the at least one downstream recess.
 5. The non-nicotine podassembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one upstream recess includestwo upstream recesses.
 6. The non-nicotine pod assembly of claim 5,wherein the pod inlet is between the two upstream recesses.
 7. Thenon-nicotine pod assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one upstreamrecess is in a form of a U-shaped indentation.
 8. The non-nicotine podassembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one downstream recess includestwo downstream recesses.
 9. The non-nicotine pod assembly of claim 8,wherein the pod outlet is between the two downstream recesses.
 10. Thenon-nicotine pod assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least onedownstream recess is in a form of a V-shaped notch.